Hi
AirCafe Craftsman.This a "Crash-Course" on how I make double slatted flaps
and slats for a Minicraft B737-300/400. I started with the right wing
top half and bottom half and removed the flaps and slats with a very very
sharp x-acto blade. I also made two position marks for where the flap
guide will be positioned later.

After
the flaps are removed from the top wing half you must re-shape the leading edges
very carefully into mini little wings. These parts are cut into even smaller
halfs and these leading edges must be re-shaped as well. Save the new three
parts that I show for latter don't sneeze and lose them!

The
bottom wing half shows that you have to re-shape these flap parts as well. I
find that if you scrap (shave) the flaps with the edge of your x-acto blade,
this seems to work the best.

The
inner main flap has the smallest part that was saved from before glued into
position. Again make sure that the leading edges are re-shaped. Also don't sneeze.

Now
is the time to cut the slats out if you want to. I will continue with the flap
story for now only. Glue together the wing halfs and also the engine pylon too.

Hold
your breath and make your very small cuts on the flaps. Also you must make your
bends on the flaps too. Remember you are looking down on the flaps for these
moves.

It's
now flap guide time. Cut your flap guides straight into almost halfs. You must
scrape or sand the top wing half that is exsposed very thin. Remember a wing
isn't really that thick in scale. Also your now looking at the bottom of your
spoilers. Make the position marks for flap guides that will be glue on next
and fill in gaps around the engine pylon with your friend Mr.Putty too.

Make
an about 45 degree cut (file,sand)on the edge of the larger halfs of the
flap guides. I'm not into math so don't take that 45 to seriously.Remember
this is how I make them. This is not how Boeing does it (maybe). Ok, glue
on the front of the flap guides to the bottom half of the wing. Make sure
that you remember that you did make position marks for them right? Now
glue the back halfs of the guides onto the front halfs. Also, if you forgot
the larger flap guide is the inner one.

After you sight returns to normal from looking at all
of my arrows you can glue on about a .30 styrene block onto the guides.
This will act as a small "bar stool" for the flaps to sit on.

NOW
is a good time to check out some real flaps of the B737-300 in action.
Go to www.airliners.net look up B737/300/400 window views. This will help
you with the orientation of the flaps. You can now DRY FIT your saved
larger flap onto the styrene blocks. Sand the blocks so that you have
a nice even space between the flap and the trailing edge of the your wing.
Then go ahead and glue the larger flap onto his/her "bar stools"(styrene
blocks)! Also make two styrene shims (.15-.20) and glue them on the flap
guides. These will be sanded for fit later for the main flap.

DRY
FIT your larger flap onto your styrene shims. Sand down the shims so their's
a nice even gap between the two flaps. From the photo you can see the main flaps
bends and small cuts that you have made right?

Now
let's DRY Fit the inner flaps to the engine pylon. Check for even spacing from
the trailing edge of wing. Also compare this spacing to the other flaps that
you already glued on from before. Now with the help of your crazy glue or I
what I call it "don't smell-it glue". Carefully glue these parts onto the side
of the engine pylon. Don't worry about the other half of these flaps that step
is next.

With your trusty styrene (.30) make a small flap guide
(sopport) for the other half of these flaps. This like everything else
takes a sober hand and a hopefully a calm spouse. So close the door and
let all your pets out-doors!! Position and glue this new support to be
able to hold both the flaps and being attached to the wing at the same
time. Take your time their's no hurry...really!

Let's
make some cool slats for this bird! If you haven't allready cleaned your
shoes from stamping on it by now! These steps are in conjuction with the
removing of the flaps from the wings BEFORE you glued the wings together.
First sand or scrape the top half slat down (don't remove) until the two
center scribe marks on the slat are just about gone. Cut and remove the
slats from the bottom half of the wing. Save the smaller part for later.

With
some styrene (.30 or less) design a new slat for the top. I know why not
just use the original? Well because I say so...Naa just kidding, because
your new and improved slat will be positioned and glued to the top half
of the wing. So after you have shaped your new slat, glue this onto the
leading edge of the wing about half way from the edge. With the smaller
slat that you saved from the bottom half of the wing, slightly sand re-shape
and glue into position. Don't forget to DRY FIT first!

The
painting of the wing and flaps/slats is really up to your judgement and
taste. With all the different shade of grey's out there in this hobby
universe today. This is my version of how I would finish a B-737-300 wing
with all the goodies.

Outstanding work, Brad. Never done it myself and now i have to try. Tt's a lot of work but it sure looks brilliant at the end and worth every minute spent building it. It gives it so much more detail to the model. Thumbs up!!